Nick D' Virgilio
Karma
Review by Gary Hill
Nick D' Virgilio, the drummer best known for his work with Spock's Beard, but he also served as the drummer on part of Genesis' single post Phil Collins disc. With Karma Nick D' Virgilio has prepared a solo album that represents progressive rock on an equal caliber as that dished out by those two bands. He also shows that he is more than just a drummer. In fact, most of the work on the album is done by the man himself. It seems that the only times he brings in other musicians is when he wants their work, not because he needs their help. He certainly chose wisely in whom he got to join him, too. Obviously he looked to the Beard camp in the form of Alan Morse and Ryo Okomoto. He also enlisted the input of most of Beer For Dolphins (Mike Kenealy, Bryan Bellar and Rick Mussallam). Notables among the others are Dave Carpenter (Andy Summers and Louie Bellson), Mike Johnson (Dinosaur Jr.) and Kevin Gilbert (Toy Matinee). The sampling offered up here is a pretty diverse one, both in terms of the talent present and in the modes of the prog styles presented.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2002 Year Book Volume 1 at garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2001-and-2002.
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